Sunday 15th August - Darwin

It's been a while since we've had a lazy Sunday morning, but a late breakfast on the veranda with our hosts provided sufficient sustenance to then brave the only shopping centre in Darwin at Casuarina.  We had a list of a few bits and pieces to get and also stocked up at the supermarket for the next leg of our journey through Kakadu, although we've delayed our departure for one more day in order to complete the lists of things we wanted to see and do in Darwin.  That and the fact that it's been so nice staying with Mitch and Chelsea.

It was Mitch's turn to demonstrate camping equipment today when he set up their swags for us to have a look at and try out.  We'd been fascinated by the swag concept since arriving in Australia, it's essentially a canvas bed roll with built in mattress and, nowadays, normally a couple of hoops top and bottom and some mesh panels for ventilation.  Quick and easy to set up, we've seen a couple of others using them but hadnít had a proper look.  The double swag is a little cosy for two, but the "king single" looks good so we might have to invest in a couple before we leave the country.

A cream tea by the pool accompanied by a glass of wine was a great way to cool off, then Mitch and Chelsea cooked Anne a belated birthday tea of spaghetti bolognaise with a candle strewn cake for desert.

She even got a present, an outdoor toilet roll holder which you can hang around your neck and will keep the roll safe and dry.

If there are a lot of references to food in the blog these last few days it's because it's been an opportunity to have a break from our usual camp fare and we may have over indulged, but we're on holiday.  That's our excuse and we're sticking to it.